Direct Potable Reuse

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What is Direct Potable Reuse?

Direct Potable Reuse (DPR) is a process that takes reclaimed water or highly treated wastewater and treats it to drinking water standards. That water can then be blended with traditional drinking water and be sent directly to homes and businesses for all purposes.

Just as water recycles naturally through an indirect potable reuse process, the direct potable reuse process uses technology to accelerate the treatment and distribution of water without an environmental buffer.

Polk County’s DPR project’s goal is to demonstrate that the direct potable reuse process can produce drinking water that meets or exceeds federal and state standards and provides an option for increasing Polk’s water supply in the future.

Through a joint agreement with the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the county built a potable reuse facility to conduct a pilot project at the Cherry Hill Water Production Facility in the Northwest Regional Utility Service Area. Demonstration testing began in August 2023 and is ongoing.

How does Polk County’s DPR pilot project work?

Reclaimed water is transferred from Polk County’s Northwest Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility to the Cherry Hill Water Production Facility, where the DPR pilot site is separate from the water production facility. The Cherry Hill Direct Potable Reuse Project is a feasibility pilot project; therefore, water treated and tested will not be introduced into the drinking water supply at this time.

Explore the Journey of a Reclaimed Water Droplet

Click to explore the journey of a reclaimed water droplet through Polk County’s DPR pilot facility and learn about how each steps ensures a clean, high quality water product.

Visit Polk County's DPR Pilot Facility

Polk County Utilities welcomes residents, community associations, leadership groups and homeschool groups to take a private tour of the DPR pilot project facility. To request a tour, reach out to [email protected].

Learn about other DPR projects

Polk County, Florida, is far from the first community to consider DPR as a supplement to its water supply. Click the button below to learn about other potable reuse projects in the U.S. and beyond.

Aprann Plis